Connector system, connecting cable and receiving tool

ABSTRACT

A connector provided on a projector has an RF chip. A plug connected to the connector has an RF chip at a position opposite to the RF chip of the connector. When a protruding section of the plug is inserted and fit into an aperture section of the connector, the RF chip of the plug and the RF chip of the connector perform wireless communication with each other in a non-contact state. Thus, a connecting tool can be easily attached to/detached from a receiving tool without breaking a terminal due to contact such as in a case where a conventional contact type terminal is used.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/682,484, filed on Apr. 9, 2010, which was a National Stageof International Application No. PCT/JP2008/068244 filed on Oct. 7, 2009and which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2007-267139, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Oct. 12, 2007, theentire contents of which are being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a connector system, a connecting cableand a receiving tool applicable to a connector cable connecting a videoreproducer and a display. More specifically, a receiving tool providedon a device has a first wireless communication section. A connectingtool connected to the receiving tool in a freely attachable/detachablemanner has a second wireless communication section at a positionopposite to the first wireless communication section of the receivingtool. Thus, wireless communication can be performed in a non-contactstate, and the connecting tool can be easily attached to/detached fromthe receiving tool without breaking a terminal due to contact such as ina case where a conventional contact type terminal is used.

In recent years, owing to next-generation large capacity optical diskssuch as the Blue-ray Disc (Registered Trademark) and high-visionbroadcasting, there are increasing cases where a high-resolution videois to be handled. In this case, an HDMI (High-Definition MultimediaInterface (Registered Trademark)) connector 200 shown in FIG. 1 is usedto connect a disk reproduction device with a display. FIG. 1 is aperspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of theconnector 200. The connector 200 shown in FIG. 1 adopts a TMDS(Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (Registered Trademark))transmission method. The TMDS (Registered Trademark) transmission methodhas four channels. These four channels are assigned to R, G and B (red,green and blue) video signals, one per each channel, and one channel isassigned to a signal for synchronizing a clock frequency. The connector200 includes a terminal 40 and a copper cable 41. The connector 200transmits video signals through the copper cable 41 with the terminal 40inserted into a socket of the HDMI (Registered Trademark), which is notshown.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of theconfiguration of the connector 200. The terminal 40 of the connector 200has Pin 1 to Pin 19. The Pin 1 to Pin 9 are for an RGB (red, green andblue) video signal connection. The Pin 10 to Pin 12 are for asynchronization clock frequency connection. The Pin 13 to Pin 19 are fora power supply connection, a control system connection, etc. Theconnector 200 electrically outputs R, G and B video signals input fromthe Pin 1 to Pin 9 through the copper cable 41.

In contrast to the copper cable 41, a connector using an optical fiberin a signal transmission path has also been proposed. An optical fiberconnector is broadly divided into two types: a single core type havingone optical fiber and a multi-core type having a plurality of opticalfibers. Single core plugs are widespread mainly for consumer use becauseof its easy connection and high dust tolerance. However, a data transferrate is low due to being a single core, which may lead to a problem whenhigh-capacity high-resolution videos are handled.

On the other hand, although the connection is difficult due to being amulti-core, because a data transfer rate is high and high-capacityhigh-resolution videos can be handled, multi-core plugs are widespreadmainly for industrial use. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating anexample of the configuration of a multi-core MT connector 300. The MTconnector 300 shown in FIG. 3 includes a plug section 47 and a connectorsection 48.

The plug section 47 has a plug body 42, an optical fiber tape 43, aguide pin 44 and an optical fiber end portion 45. The optical fiber tape43 extends from the rear end of the plug body 42. Two guide pins 44protrude from the front end of the plug body 42. The optical fiber endportion 45 is provided on the front end of the plug body 42. An opticalsignal is input to/output from the optical fiber end portion 45.

The connector section 48 has a connector body 46, an optical fiber tape43 and an optical fiber end portion (not shown). The optical fiber tape43 extends from the rear end of the connector body 46. The optical fiberend portion (not shown) is provided on the front end of the connectorbody 46. An optical signal is input to/output from the optical fiber endportion.

When the plug section 47 is connected with the connector section 48, theguide pin 44 of the plug section 47 is inserted into the insertionportion (not shown) in the connector section 48, and the plug section 47and the connector section 48 are secured by a given fastener. At thattime, the optical fiber end portion 45 of the plug section 47 is alignedwith the optical fiber end portion (not shown) of the connector section48. Since an accuracy of the alignment of the optical fiber end portionsmust be 1 μm or less, a dedicated attaching/detaching tool is required(e.g., FIG. 1 in JP-A-2004-317737).

According to the HDMI (Registered Trademark) connector 200 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the terminal 40 has 19 pins from Pin 1 to Pin 19.Therefore, when the terminal 40 is inserted into a given connector, in acase where the terminal 40 is inserted accidentally slightly slantedwith respect to the connector, the 19 pins may not match the insertionholes of the connector, and the pins may be bent and broken.

In addition, according to the MT connector 300 shown in FIG. 3, since anaccuracy of the alignment of the optical fiber end portion 45 of theplug section 47 with the optical fiber end portion (not shown) of theconnector section 48 must be 1 μm or less, which requires a dedicatedattaching/detaching tool for industrial use, employment for consumer useis difficult.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a connector system, a connectingcable and a receiving tool allowing a connecting tool to be easilyattached to/detached from a receiving tool without breaking a terminaldue to contact such as in a case where a conventional contact typeterminal is used.

SUMMARY

A connector system according to an embodiment includes a receiving toolprovided on a device, and a connecting tool connected to the receivingtool in a freely attachable/detachable manner so as to establish aconnection between devices, the receiving tool having a first wirelesscommunication section that performs wireless communication, theconnecting tool having at a position opposite to the first wirelesscommunication section of the receiving tool a second wirelesscommunication section that performs wireless communication with thefirst wireless communication section.

According to the connector system of the present embodiment, thereceiving tool (connector) provided on a device has a first wirelesscommunication section that performs wireless communication. Theconnecting tool (plug) connected to the receiving tool in a freelyattachable/detachable manner has a second wireless communication sectionat a position opposite to the first wireless communication section ofthe receiving tool. For example, the connecting tool is inserted and fitinto the receiving tool in a given direction, and the first wirelesscommunication section and the second wireless communication section arepositioned so that the given insertion direction is orthogonal to thedirection normal to the output surface of a wireless signal emitted bythe first and second wireless communication sections. As a result, whenthe connecting tool is connected to the receiving tool, the secondwireless communication section of the connecting tool and the firstwireless communication section of the receiving tool can wirelesslycommunicate with each other in a non-contact state. Thus, the connectingtool can be easily attached to/detached from the receiving tool withoutbreaking a terminal due to contact such as in a case where aconventional contact type terminal is used.

In order to solve the problems described above, a connecting cableaccording to the present invention includes a cable for transmitting asignal, a first connecting tool attached to one end of the cable, and asecond connecting tool attached to the other end of the cable, at leastone of the first and second connecting tools being connected in a freelyattachable/detachable manner to a receiving tool of a device providedwith the receiving tool having a first wireless communication sectionthat performs wireless communication, and having at a position oppositeto the first wireless communication section of the receiving tool asecond wireless communication section that performs wirelesscommunication with the first wireless communication section.

The connecting cable according to the present embodiment is applied whenestablishing a connection between devices, at least one of which isprovided with the receiving tool having the first wireless communicationsection that performs wireless communication. At least one of the firstand second connecting tools of the connecting cable has a secondwireless communication section at a position opposite to the firstwireless communication section of the receiving tool. Thus, the secondwireless communication section of the connecting tool and the firstwireless communication section of the receiving tool can wirelesslycommunicate with each other in a non-contact state.

In order to solve the problems described above, a receiving toolaccording to the present invention connects in a freelyattachable/detachable manner to a connecting tool having a secondwireless communication section that performs wireless communication, andhas at a position opposite to the second wireless communication sectionof the connecting tool a first wireless communication section thatperforms wireless communication with the second wireless communicationsection.

The receiving tool according to the present embodiment is applied to adevice to which the connecting tool having the second wirelesscommunication section that performs wireless communication is connected.The receiving tool has the first wireless communication section at aposition opposite to the second wireless communication section of theconnecting tool, which is connected thereto in a freelyattachable/detachable manner. Thus, the first wireless communicationsection of the receiving tool and the second wireless communicationsection of the connecting tool can wirelessly communicate with eachother in a non-contact state.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example (1) of theconfiguration of an HDMI (Registered Trademark) connector 200 accordingto a conventional example.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example (2) of theconfiguration of the connector 200 according to the conventionalexample.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of theconfiguration of an MT connector 300 according to the conventionalexample.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of theconfiguration of an attachable/detachable connector system 100 accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of theconfiguration of a plug 1A and a connector 2.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating an example of the beginningof fitting of the plug 1A.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating an example of the completionof fitting of the plug 1A.

FIG. 7A is a top view illustrating an example of the configuration ofthe plug 1A.

FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view in the X1-X1 arrow direction of FIG.7A illustrating the example of the configuration of the plug 1A.

FIG. 8A is a side view illustrating an example of the configuration ofthe plug 1A.

FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view in the X2-X2 arrow direction of FIG.8A illustrating the example of the configuration of the plug 1A.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof an RF chip 5A of the plug 1A.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof an RF chip 5B of a plug 1B.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof an RF chip 5C of a plug 1C.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof part of an RF chip 5D of a plug 1D.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a firstmanufacturing process of the RF chip 5A.

FIG. 13B is a perspective view illustrating an example of a secondmanufacturing process of the RF chip 5A.

FIG. 14A is a top view illustrating an example of the configuration ofthe connector 2.

FIG. 14B is a cross sectional view in the X3-X3 arrow direction of FIG.14A illustrating the example of the configuration of the connector 2.

FIG. 15A is a side view illustrating an example of the configuration ofthe connector 2.

FIG. 15B is a cross sectional view in the X4-X4 arrow direction of FIG.15A illustrating the example of the configuration of the connector 2.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof an RF chip 6 and an RF circuit 52.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a connector system, a connecting cable and a receivingtool will be described below with reference to the drawings.

An example of the configuration of an attachable/detachable connectorsystem 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Theattachable/detachable connector system 100 shown in FIG. 4 is used toconnect a video reproducer such as a DVD recorder (not shown) with avideo output device such as a projector 21.

The attachable/detachable connector system 100 includes a connectingcable 1 and a connector 2 (an example of a receiving tool). One end ofthe connecting cable 1 is fit into the connector 2 of the projector 21,and the other end of the connecting cable 1 is fit into the connector 2of the video reproducer. A video/audio signal reproduced by the videoreproducer is output to the projector 21 through the connecting cable 1.

The connecting cable 1 includes plugs 1A and 1B and a combinedelectrical and optical cable 10. The plug 1A is an example of aconnecting tool, and is connected to the connector 2 in a freelyattachable/detachable manner. The plug 1A includes a plug body 3, aprotruding section 7 and a cable support section 9. The protrudingsection 7 is provided on the front end of the rectangular parallelepipedplug body 3, and the cable support section 9 is provided on the rear endof the plug body 3. A first RF (Radio Frequency) chip 5A shown in FIG. 5is provided in the protruding section 7. The protruding section 7 isinserted into an aperture section 8 in the connector 2 of the projector21, for example.

The cable support section 9 extends and supports the combined electricaland optical cable 10 (an example of a cable). The plug 1B is provided onthe end portion of the extended combined electrical and optical cable10. Since the plugs 1B and 1A have the identical configuration, thedescription of the configuration of the plug 1B is omitted.

An example of the configuration of the plug 1A and the connector 2 willbe described with reference to FIG. 5. An RF chip 5A of the plug 1Ashown in FIG. 5 serves as an example of a second wireless communicationsection, and is provided at a portion opposite to an RF chip 6 of theconnector 2 so as to perform wireless communication. The main surface 5a (output surface of an RF signal) of the RF chip 5A of the plug 1A issealed with a resin or the like so that the RF chip 5A is not exposed.This allows the RF chip 5A to be protected against stress at the time ofattachment/detachment and the effects of temperature and moisture.

The aperture section 8 of the connector 2 is open to a size that allowsthe protruding section 7 of the plug 1A to be inserted. A second RF chip6 is provided on the top of the aperture section 8. The RF chip 6 servesas an example of a first wireless communication section, and is providedat a position opposite to the RF chip 5A of the plug 1A so as to performwireless communication. In this example, in order to protect the RF chip6 against the stress at the time of attachment/detachment, a mainsurface 6 a (output surface of an RF signal) of the RF chip 6 is sealedwith a resin or the like so that the RF chip 6 is not exposed.

In addition, the RF chip 5A and the RF chip 6 are positioned so that,when the protruding section 7 of the plug 1A is inserted and fit intothe aperture section 8 of the connector 2, the RF chip 5A provided inthe protruding section 7 is opposite to the RF chip 6 provided on thetop of the aperture section 8.

Hemispherical recessed portions 11 are provided on both sides of theaperture section 8 of the connector 2. Each hemispherical protrudingportion 12 on the plug 1A shown in FIG. 7A is engaged with each recessedportion 11 when the plug 1A is fit into the connector 2. This canprevent the plug 1A from slipping out of the connector 2, as well asallowing the positions of the RF chip 5A of the plug 1A and the RF chip6 of the connector 2 to be defined precisely. Naturally, a method offixing the plug 1A to the connector 2 is not limited to theabove-described method, and other methods may be used.

The RF chip 5A of the plug 1A receives an optical signal propagatingthrough the combined electrical and optical cable 10, converts theoptical signal into an electric signal (RF signal), and transmits theelectric signal to the RF chip 6 of the connector 2. The RF chip 6 ofthe connector 2 receives the electric signal (RF signal) transmittedfrom the plug 1A, and outputs the signal to a subsequent-stageprocessing section, which performs processing such as amplification.Further, the RF chip 5A receives the electric signal (RF signal)transmitted by the RF chip 6 of the connector 2, converts the signalinto an optical signal, and emits the optical signal to the combinedelectrical and optical cable 10.

In this manner, when the plug 1A is fit into the connector 2, the RFchip 5A of the plug 1A and the RF chip 6 of the connector 2 can performdata communication in a non-contact state. This allows the plug 1A to beeasily attached to/detached from the connector 2 without breaking the RFchips 5A and 6.

An example of the fitting of the plug 1A will be described withreference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. As shown in FIG. 6A, the front end of theprotruding section 7 of the plug 1A is inserted into the aperturesection 8 in the connector 2. After insertion, the plug 1A is pushed andslid in the direction of an arrow P. When the plug 1A is slid, eachprotruding portion 12 on the plug 1A (see FIG. 7A) abuts against a frontface 4 a of the connector 2. After the abutting, when the plug 1A isfurther pushed in the direction of the arrow P, due to each abuttingprotruding portion 12, the connector body 4 becomes slightly bent suchthat the aperture section 8 of the connector 2 widens laterally. Withthe connector body 4 bent, when the plug 1A is further pushed and slidin the direction of the arrow P until the position shown in FIG. 6B isreached, each protruding portion 12 on the plug 1A snaps into therecessed portion 11 on the connector 2 (see FIG. 5), and the bending isreverted. In this manner, the plug 1A is fit into the connector 2.

Subsequently, an example of the configuration of the plug 1A will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 7A to 8B. The plug 1A shownin FIG. 7A has hemispherical protruding portions 12 on both sides nearthe root of the protruding section 7. These protruding portions 12 snapinto the recessed portions 11 on the plug 1A as described in connectionwith FIG. 5.

FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view in the X1-X1 arrow directionillustrating the plug 1A of FIG. 7A. The main surface 5 a (outputsurface of an RF signal) of the RF chip 5A of the plug 1A shown in FIG.7B is sealed with a resin or the like and provided in the protrudingsection 7. The RF chip 5A of the plug 1A is positioned so that the uppersurface 7 a of the protruding section 7 is orthogonal to the directionnormal to the main surface 5 a of the RF chip 5A.

The RF chip 5A is connected to the combined electrical and optical cable10. An optical fiber 18 of the combined electrical and optical cable 10is covered with a coating member 19 such as a resin. The RF chip 5Areceives an optical signal propagating through the optical fiber 18,which is an example of an optical transmission path, converts theoptical signal into an electric signal (RF signal), and transmits theelectric signal in the direction normal to the main surface 5 a.Further, the RF chip 5A receives the electric signal (RF signal)transmitted by the RF chip 6 of the connector 2 in the direction normalto the main surface 5 a, converts the signal into an optical signal, andemits the optical signal to the optical fiber 18.

FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view in the X2-X2 arrow directionillustrating the plug 1A of FIG. 8A. The RF chip 5A of the plug 1A shownin FIG. 8B includes an antenna section 13, an amplifier 14, a lightreceiving section 15, an optical modulator 16 and an LD (Laser Diode)17. The antenna section 13 has directivity, and receives/transmits RFsignals in a particular direction.

When the antenna section 13 receives an RF signal, the amplifier 14connected to the antenna section 13 and optical modulator 16 amplifiesthe electric signal output from the antenna section 13 and outputs thesignal to the optical modulator 16. The optical modulator 16 isconnected to the LD 17 and the optical fiber 18, and modulates theoptical signal received from the LD 17 based on the amplified electricsignal. The optical modulator 16 emits the modulated optical signal tothe optical fiber 18. In this example, power is supplied to the LD 17through a contact terminal No. 18 (see FIG. 9). The LD 17 is connectedto a light supply cable 20, and emits an optical signal to the lightsupply cable 20. The plug 1B shown in FIG. 4 receives the optical signalfrom the light supply cable 20, and modulates the optical signal basedon a predetermined electric signal.

Further, when the optical signal propagates from the optical fiber 18,the light receiving section 15 receives the optical signal from theoptical fiber 18. The light receiving section 15 is connected to theamplifier 14, converts the received optical signal into an electricsignal, and outputs the electric signal to the amplifier 14. Theamplifier 14 amplifies and outputs the electric signal to the antennasection 13. The antenna section 13 emits the electric signal as an RFsignal.

Subsequently, an example of the configuration of the RF chip 5A of theplug 1A will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The RF chip 5A shownin FIG. 9 functionally corresponds to the HDMI (Registered Trademark)connector 200 according to a conventional example shown in FIGS. 1 and2, for example. Namely, the RF chip 5A has four channels in total:optical fibers 18 for data transmission (channels CH1 to CH3) and anoptical fiber 18 for clock transmission (channel CH4). In addition, theRF chip 5A has contact terminals No. 13 to No. 19 corresponding to thePin 13 to Pin 19 in the HDMI (Registered Trademark) connector 200 shownin FIG. 2. Each of these contact terminals No. 13 to No. 19 is connectedto each power supply signal cable 23. Since the function of the contactterminals No. 13 to No. 19 is well known, it is not described.

The antenna section 13 includes four RX (receiving) antennas 13 a andfour TX (transmitting) antennas 13 b. In order to realizeminiaturization, the arrangement pitch between RX antennas 13 a is about1 mm at most. In order to realize miniaturization, the arrangement pitchbetween TX antennas 13 b is also about 1 mm at most. The RX antennas 13a receive RF signals. The TX antennas 13 b emit RF signals.

In this example, when a plurality of the RX antenna 13 a and the TXantenna 13 b combinations are to be positioned, the power supply to theRX antennas 13 a and the TX antennas 13 b is restricted in order toprevent interference (crosstalk). For example, a power supply section 54connected to the contact terminal No. 18 of the RF chip 6 of theconnector 2 shown in FIG. 16 restricts the power supplied to the RXantennas 13 a and the TX antennas 13 b of the RF chip 5A of the plug 1A.In this example, the contact terminal No. 18 of the RF chip 5A shown inFIG. 9 and the contact terminal No. 18 of the RF chip 6 shown in FIG. 16are connected to each other. A predetermined voltage is applied from thepower supply section 54 to the contact terminal No. 18 of the RF chip 6shown in FIG. 16. At that time, a predetermined power is supplied to thecontact terminal No. 18 of the RF chip 5A shown in FIG. 9, which isconnected to the contact terminal No. 18 of the RF chip 6 shown in FIG.16. In addition, a predetermined power is supplied to the RX antennas 13a and the TX antennas 13 b of the RF chip 5A.

Furthermore, when a plurality of the RX antenna 13 a and the TX antenna13 b combinations are to be positioned, the RX antennas 13 a and the TXantennas 13 b are positioned by changing the plane of polarization ofthe RX antennas 13 a adjacent to each other and the TX antennas 13 badjacent to each other in order to prevent interference. For example,the adjacent RX antennas 13 a, 13 a are positioned to have circularlypolarized waves in different directions of rotation (left-hand circularpolarization and right-hand circular polarization) so that the planes ofpolarization of them are orthogonal to each other. As a result, thecrosstalk (interference) between the RX antennas 13 a, 13 a adjacent toeach other can be suppressed.

The amplifier 14 includes eight AMPs 14 a. Each AMP 14 a is connected toeach RX antenna 13 a and TX antenna 13 b. The AMP 14 a amplifies anelectric signal input from the RX antenna 13 a. In addition, the AMP 14a amplifies the electric signal input from the light receiving section15, and outputs the signal to the TX antenna 13 b.

The light receiving section 15 includes four light receiving elements(O-R) 15 a. These light receiving elements 15 a serve as an example ofan optical-electric conversion section, are connected to the opticalfibers 18 of the channels CH1 to CH4 through optical waveguides 22, andfurther connected to the TX antennas 13 b through the AMPs 14 a. Thelight receiving element 15 a receives an optical signal propagatingthrough the optical fiber 18, converts the signal into an electricsignal, and outputs the electric signal to the TX antenna 13 b throughthe AMP 14 a.

The optical modulator 16 includes four light modulators (E-O) 16 a.These light modulators 16 a serve as an example of an electric-opticalconversion section, are connected to the RX antennas 13 a through theAMPs 14 a, and further connected to the LD 17 and the optical fibers 18of the channels CH1 to CH4. The optical modulator 16 a converts anelectric signal into an optical signal. For example, the opticalmodulator 16 a modulates an optical signal received from the LD 17 basedon the electric signal input from the RX antenna 13 a through the AMP 14a. The optical modulator 16 a emits the modulated optical signal to theoptical fibers 18 of the channels CH1 to CH4.

Subsequently, an example of the operation of the RF chip 5A of the plug1A will be described. When the RX antenna 13 a shown in FIG. 9 receivesan RF signal, the RX antenna 13 a converts the RF signal into apredetermined electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to theAMP 14 a. The AMP 14 a amplifies the electric signal output from the RXantenna 13 a, and outputs the signal to the optical modulator (E-O) 16a. The optical modulator 16 a modulates the optical signal received fromthe LD 17 based on the amplified electric signal, and emits themodulated optical signal to the optical fibers 18 of the channels CH1 toCH4.

Further, when the optical signal propagates from the optical fibers 18of the channels CH1 to CH4, the light receiving element 15 a receivesthe optical signal from the optical fiber 18. The light receivingelement 15 a converts the received optical signal into an electricsignal and outputs the electric signal to the AMP 14 a. The AMP 14 aamplifies and outputs the electric signal to the TX antenna 13 b. The TXantenna 13 b emits the amplified electric signal as an RF signal.

Next, an example of the configuration of the RF chip 5B of the plug 1Bprovided on the other side of the connecting cable 1 shown in FIG. 4will be described. Since the RF chip 5B shown in FIG. 10 receives alight source from the light supply cable 20, the RF chip 5B does nothave the LD 17 shown in FIG. 9. Like components of the RF chip 5B aredenoted by like numerals as of the RF chip 5A, and the descriptionthereof is omitted.

The RF chip 5B has four channels in total: optical fibers 18 for datatransmission (channels CH1 to CH3) and an optical fiber 18 for clocktransmission (channel CH4). The optical fibers 18 of these channels CH1to CH4 are connected to the optical fibers 18 of the CH1 to CH4 shown inFIG. 9. In addition, the RF chip 5B has contact terminals No. 13 to No.19 corresponding to the Pin 13 to Pin 19 in the HDMI (RegisteredTrademark) connector 200 shown in FIG. 2. Each of these contactterminals No. 13 to No. 19 is connected to each power supply signalcable 23. Each power supply signal cable 23 is connected to each powersupply signal cable 23 shown in FIG. 9.

The antenna section 13 includes four RX (receiving) antennas 13 a andfour TX (transmitting) antennas 13 b. The RX antennas 13 a receive RFsignals. The TX antennas 13 b emit RF signals.

The amplifier 14 includes eight AMPs 14 a. Each AMP 14 a is connected toeach RX antenna 13 a and TX antenna 13 b. The AMP 14 a amplifies anelectric signal input from the RX antenna 13 a. In addition, the AMP 14a amplifies the electric signal input from the light receiving section15, and outputs the signal to the TX antenna 13 b.

The light receiving section 15 includes four light receiving elements(O-E) 15 a. These light receiving elements 15 a are connected to theoptical fibers 18 of the channels CH1 to CH4 through the opticalwaveguides 22, and further connected to the TX antennas 13 b through theAMPs 14 a. The light receiving element 15 a converts an optical signalpropagating through the optical fiber 18 into an electric signal, andoutputs the electric signal to the TX antenna 13 b through the AMP 14 a.

The optical modulator 16 includes four light modulators (E-O) 16 a.These light modulators 16 a are connected to the RX antennas 13 athrough the AMPs 14 a, and further connected to the light supply cable20 and the optical fibers 18 of the channels CH1 to CH4. The opticalmodulator 16 a modulates an optical signal received from the lightsupply cable 20 based on the electric signal input from the RX antenna13 a through the AMP 14 a. The optical modulator 16 a emits themodulated optical signal to the optical fibers 18 of the channels CH1 toCH4.

Subsequently, an example of the operation of the RF chip 5B of the plug1B will be described. When the RX antenna 13 a shown in FIG. 10 receivesan RF signal, the RX antenna 13 a converts the RF signal into apredetermined electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to theAMP 14 a. The AMP 14 a amplifies the electric signal output from the RXantenna 13 a, and outputs the signal to the optical modulator (E-O) 16a. The optical modulator 16 a modulates the optical signal received fromthe LD 17 shown in FIG. 9 through the light supply cable 20 based on theamplified electric signal, and emits the modulated optical signal to theoptical fibers 18 of the channels CH1 to CH4.

Further, when the optical signal propagates from the optical fibers 18of the channels CH1 to CH4, the light receiving element 15 a receivesthe optical signal from the optical fiber 18. The light receivingelement 15 a converts the received optical signal into an electricsignal and outputs the electric signal to the AMP 14 a. The AMP 14 aamplifies and outputs the electric signal to the TX antenna 13 b. The TXantenna 13 b emits the amplified electric signal as an RF signal. Itshould be noted that the LD 17 shown in FIG. 9 may also be mounted onthe RF chip 5B shown in FIG. 10. In this case, the light supply cable 20is not required for the RF chip 5A and the RF chip 5B.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, discrete components such as a light sourceand a detector (not shown) (light receiving element 15 a and opticalmodulator 16 a) may be positioned on each optical fiber 18. In thisexample, this would be a case where components not suitable for mountingon a silicon chip, such as VCSEL, are used for the light source and thedetector. In this example, the RX antennas 13 a, the TX antennas 13 b,the AMPs 14 a and the contact terminals No. 13 to No. 19 are positionedon the chassis 49 of the RF chip 5C. The light receiving element (O-E)15 a and the optical modulator (E-O) 16 a are not positioned on thechassis 49 of the RF chip 5C.

Furthermore, in the optical fiber 18 shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, althoughthe optical signal transmission direction is unidirectional, it may alsobe a bidirectional communication. In this case, the bidirectionalcommunication is easily achieved using a branching optical waveguide 50as shown in FIG. 12. In the RF chip 5D shown in FIG. 12, only componentsrelated to the channel CH1 are shown, and components related to theother channels CH2 to CH4 and the contact terminals No. 13 to No. 19 areomitted.

The channel CH1 shown in FIG. 12 is constituted by one optical fiber 18.The optical fiber 18 is connected to the light receiving element 15 aand the optical modulator 16 a through the branching optical waveguide50.

The branching optical waveguide 50 transmits an optical signal outputfrom the optical modulator 16 a to the optical fiber 18. In addition,the branching optical waveguide 50 transmits the optical signalpropagating from the optical fiber 18 to the light receiving element 15a. As a result, the number of optical fibers 18 to be installed can bereduced, thus reducing the cost.

Subsequently, the manufacturing process of the RF chip 5A of the plug 1Awill be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B. For example, theentire surface of the chassis 49 (substrate) of the RF chip 5A shown inFIG. 13A is lined with a copper foil. With a predetermined screen plate,a pattern is printed and etched on the chassis 49. After the etching,the remaining photo-sensitive film is striped to expose the copper foilpattern. Then, resist ink having insulation action is applied over thechassis 49, and is dried and developed to expose a circuit and thecontact terminals No. 13 to No. 19. The material of the chassis 49 is asilicone resin, for example.

Subsequently, in order to form an alignment groove 53 for optical fibershown in FIG. 13A, nine predetermined positions on the chassis 49 arecut in rectangles with a substrate processing machine. The alignmentgroove 53 is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may have a V-shape.After the alignment groove 53 is formed, the optical waveguide 22 ismounted by adhesion to the predetermined portion with an adhesive agent.Then, the antenna section 13, the amplifier 14, the light receivingelement 15 a, and the optical modulator 16 a are mounted onpredetermined positions on the chassis 49. Subsequently, as shown inFIG. 13B, the LD 17 is mounted on a predetermined position on thechassis 49, and each optical fiber 18 and the light supply cable 20 aremounted by adhesion to the alignment groove 53 with an adhesive agent.At that time, the cores of the optical fiber 18 and the light supplycable 20 are mounted by alignment with the core of the optical waveguide22.

Subsequently, an example of the configuration of the connector 2 will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 14A to 15B. FIG. 14B is across sectional view in the X3-X3 arrow direction of FIG. 14Aillustrating the example of the configuration of the connector 2. Forease of understanding the description herein, in FIG. 14B, the plug 1Afit into the connector 2 is shown in a chain double-dashed line. Themain surface 6 a (output surface of an RF signal) of the RF chip 6 ofthe connector 2 shown in FIG. 14B is sealed with a resin or the like andprovided in the connector body 4. The RF chip 6 is positioned so thatthe upper surface 8 a of the aperture section 8 is orthogonal to thedirection normal to the main surface 6 a of the RF chip 6.

Namely, the RF chip 5A and the RF chip 6 are positioned so that thedirection of insertion of the plug 1A into the connector 2 is orthogonalto the direction normal to the output surface of the RF signal emittedfrom the RF chip 5A of the plug 1A and the RF chip 6 of the connector 2.Thus, the main surface 6 a of the RF chip 6 of the connector 2 isparallel with the main surface 5 a of the RF chip 5A of the plug 1Ainserted into the aperture section 8 of the connector 2. Accordingly,the RF signal emitted from the main surface 5 a of the RF chip 5Aaccurately reaches the main surface 6 a of the RF chip 6. Similarly, theRF signal emitted from the main surface 6 a of the RF chip 6 accuratelyreaches the main surface 5 a of the RF chip 5A.

In this example, the RF chip 6 of the connector 2 is connected to asignal processing section 51 of the projector 21 shown in FIG. 16. TheRF chip 6 receives an RF signal from the plug 1A, converts the RF signalinto an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the signalprocessing section 51. In addition, the RF chip 6 converts an electricsignal output from an RF circuit 52 shown in FIG. 16 into an RF signal,and emits the RF signal.

FIG. 15B is a cross sectional view in the X4-X4 arrow directionillustrating the connector 2 of FIG. 15A. The RF chip 6 of the connector2 shown in FIG. 15B includes an antenna section 24. The antenna section24 has directivity, and receives/transmits RF signals in a particulardirection.

When the antenna section 24 receives an RF signal, the antenna section24 converts the RF signal into a predetermined electric signal, andoutputs the electric signal to the signal processing section 51 shown inFIG. 16. The signal processing section 51 performs predetermined signalprocessing such as amplification on the output electric signal. Further,the antenna section 24 is connected to an RF circuit 52 shown in FIG.16, and emits the electric signal output from the RF circuit 52 as an RFsignal.

Subsequently, an example of the configuration of the RF chip 6 and theRF circuit 52 will be described with reference to FIG. 16. The RF chip 6shown in FIG. 16 includes the antenna section 24. The antenna section 24includes four RX (receiving) antennas 24 a and four TX (transmitting)antennas 24 b. The RX antenna 24 a is connected to the signal processingsection 51, and converts a received RF signal into an electric signal,and outputs the electric signal to the signal processing section 51. TheTX antenna 24 b is connected to the RF circuit 52, and emits theelectric signal input from the RF circuit 52 as an RF signal.

The RF circuit 52 includes an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) 52 a, a Mixer 52b, an oscillator 52 c and a filter 52 d. The LNA 52 a amplifies an inputpredetermined electric signal and outputs the electric signal to theMixer 52 b. The Mixer 52 b is connected to the LNA 52 a and theoscillator 52 c. The oscillator 52 c oscillates a frequency of 60 GHz,for example. The Mixer 52 b synthesizes (modulates) the 60 GHz frequencysignal and the electric signal amplified by the LNA 52 a, and outputsthe synthesized electric signal to the filter 52 d. The filter 52 dserves as a highpass filter, for example, and removes a low-frequencycomponent from the output electric signal. The filter 52 d outputs toeach TX antenna 24 b the electric signal from which the low-frequencycomponent was removed. The TX antenna 24 b emits the output electricsignal as an RF signal.

It is assumed that the frequency of the RF signal is at 60 GHz. Thefirst reason is that the RF circuit 52 can be formed on a siliconsubstrate. Since the actual value of a gain-bandwidth product (ft) of a90 nm node MOS transistor is about 140 GHz, the configuration supporting60 GHz is possible as far as a mass-production technique is concerned.The second reason is that an antenna can be miniaturized. The thirdreason is that the frequency of 60 GHz is in a band region whereelectric-optical conversion is possible using a micro ring modulator.The fourth reason is that if the carrier is at 60 GHz, the capacity oftransmission at about 10 Gbps can be secured. When a transport rate islow, a carrier of 40 GHz, 25 GHz or the like may be used. In this case,semiconductor components can be created at a lower price.

In this manner, according to the attachable/detachable connector system100 of the present invention, the connector 2 provided on the projector21 has the RF chip 6, and the plug 1A connected to the connector 2 hasthe RF chip 5A at a position opposite to the RF chip 6 of the connector2.

Accordingly, when the plug 1A is connected to the connector 2, the RFchip 5A of the plug 1A and the RF chip 6 of the connector 2 can performwireless communication with each other in a non-contact state. Thus, theplug 1A can be easily attached to/detached from the connector 2 withoutbreaking a terminal due to contact such as in a case where theconventional contact type terminal is used.

Further, in the connector 200 (e.g., version 1.3) shown in FIG. 1, forexample, when data communication speed of 10 Gbps is realized, theelectric signal is attenuated with increasing data transmissiondistance. Therefore, transmitting data over long distances (about 20 mm)is difficult, and for example, hardwiring to a projector installed on aceiling is not straightforward. On the other hand, theattachable/detachable connector system 100 can prevent the attenuationof the data because the optical fiber 18 transmits the data, thuslong-distance transmission is possible. Therefore, even at a locationsuch as the projector 21 installed on the ceiling, theattachable/detachable connector system 100 can be used. In addition, alow cost device can be realized by forming with silicon all thecomponents other than light emitting components.

The present embodiments may be applied to a connector cable thatconnects a video reproducer and a display.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A connector apparatus comprising: aconnector configured to connect to a corresponding connector of adevice; and a wireless communicator configured to wirelessly communicatewith the device, the wireless communicator including a coupler and anamplifier, the coupler including at least one receiving coupler and atleast one transmitting coupler, wherein the at least one receivingcoupler is configured to convert a first radio signal from the deviceinto a first wired signal and transmit the first wired signal to theamplifier, the amplifier is configured to amplify a second wired signaland transmit the amplified second wired signal to the at least onetransmitting coupler, and the at least one transmitting coupler isconfigured to transmit the amplified second wired signal to the deviceas a second radio signal.
 2. The connector apparatus according to claim1, further comprising a cable configured to transmit the first wiredsignal and the second wired signal.
 3. The connector apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the wireless communicator wirelessly communicates ata frequency associated with a millimeter-wave band.
 4. The connectorapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the frequency is greater than orequal to 25 GHz.
 5. The connector apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the frequency is greater than or equal to 40 GHz.
 6. Theconnector apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the frequency isgreater than or equal to 60 GHz.
 7. The connector apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the connector is configured to be detachable from thecorresponding connector of the device.
 8. The connector apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the wireless communicator is positioned tobe opposite a corresponding wireless communicator of the device.
 9. Areceiver apparatus comprising: a connector configured to connect with acorresponding connector of a cable; and a wireless communicatorconfigured to wirelessly communicate with the cable, the wirelesscommunicator including a coupler and an amplifier, the coupler includingat least one receiving coupler and at least one transmitting coupler,wherein the at least one receiving coupler is configured to convert afirst radio signal into a first wired signal and transmit the firstwired signal to the amplifier, the amplifier is configured to amplify asecond wired signal and transmit the amplified second wired signal tothe at least one transmitting coupler, and the at least one transmittingcoupler is configured to transmit the amplified second wired signal as asecond radio signal.
 10. The receiver apparatus according to claim 9,wherein the wireless communicator wirelessly communicates at a frequencyassociated with a millimeter-wave band.
 11. The receiver apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the frequency is greater than or equal to25 GHz.
 12. The receiver apparatus according to claim 10, wherein thefrequency is greater than or equal to 40 GHz.
 13. The receiver apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the frequency is greater than or equal to60 GHz.
 14. The receiver apparatus according to claim 9, wherein theconnector is configured to be detachable from the correspondingconnector of the cable.
 15. The receiver apparatus according to claim 9,wherein the wireless communicator is positioned to be opposite acorresponding wireless communicator of the cable.
 16. The connectorapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes aprotruding section configured to be inserted into an aperture of thecorresponding connector of the device wherein the wireless communicatoris located within the protruding section, and wherein the wirelesscommunicator wirelessly communicates in a direction orthogonal to aninsertion direction of the protruding section.
 17. The receiverapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the connector includes anaperture configured to receive a protruding section of the correspondingconnector of the cable, and wherein the wireless communicator wirelesslycommunicates in a direction orthogonal to an insertion direction of theprotruding section.
 18. The connector apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the connector includes at least one contact terminal tocommunicate with the corresponding connector of the device in a contactstate in addition to a wireless communication.
 19. The receiverapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cable includes at least onecontact terminal to communicate with the corresponding connector of thecable in a contact state in addition to a wireless communication. 20.The connector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least onereceiving coupler includes a plurality of receiving couplers and the atleast one transmitting coupler includes a plurality of transmittingcouplers, and wherein the plurality of receiving couplers and theplurality of transmitting couplers are positioned by changing a plane ofpolarization of the receiving couplers adjacent to each another and thetransmitting couplers adjacent to each other.
 21. The connectorapparatus according to claim 1, which includes a power supplier, andwherein the power supplier is configured to restrict power to the atleast one receiving coupler and to the at least one transmitting couplerto prevent interference.
 22. The connector apparatus according to claim1, wherein the amplifier includes a first amplifier connected to the atleast one receiving coupler and a second amplifier connected to the atleast one transmitting coupler.